Hudson Valley Resident Killed by Suicide Bomber in Syria

A Hudson Valley resident was one of four Americans killed in a suicide bomb attack in Syria.

On Friday, the Department of Defense announced the deaths of one soldier, one sailor and one DOD civilian who were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent, 35, of upstate New York were among those killed. The Navy only said Kent was from "upstate New York," but Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro confirmed Kent is from Dutchess County.

"We mourn the death of Dutchess County’s Shannon Kent in Syria earlier this week. May her light shine on through her friends and loved ones, and may her family find peace during this difficult time," Molinaro wrote on Twitter Friday morning.

Kent, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida and DOD civilian Scott A. Wirtz of St. Louis, Missouri died on Wednesday, in Manbij, Syria, as a result of wounds sustained from a suicide improvised explosive device, according to the DOD.

Kent enlisted in the Navy 2003 and graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in 2004. According to the Navy, her other military assignments included Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Gordon, Ga.; Navy Special Warfare Support Activity 2, Norfolk, Va.; Personnel Resource Development Office, Washington, D.C.; Navy Information Operations Command, Fort Meade, Md.; and Cryptologic Warfare Group 6, Fort Meade, Md. Kent reported to CWA 66 after the command was established on Aug. 10, 2018.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Chief Petty Officer Kent during this extremely difficult time. She was a rockstar, an outstanding Chief Petty Officer, and leader to many in the Navy Information Warfare Community,” said Cmdr. Joseph Harrison, Commanding Officer, CWA-66, in a statement.

“Chief Kent’s drive, determination and tenacity were infectious. Although she has left us way too soon, she will not be forgotten, and her legacy will live on with us,” said CWA 66 Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collections) Denise Vola. said in a statement.